Although Van Gaal wants to buy Vermaelen primarily to play in central defence, his versatility is an added attraction. At 28 and still the captain of Arsenal despite losing his first-team place, Vermaelen has vast experience of the Premier League.

Van Gaal is deliberating over whether to sign a dedicated left-back and one option may be the pursuit of Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodríguez, who impressed for Switzerland during the World Cup.

Vermaelen, with only a year left on his contract, would cost around £12m and give Van Gaal a seasoned operator to replace the departed Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

If Vermaelen is signed, whether Van Gaal would pursue another central defender or decide the Belgian plus Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are adequate for the position will become clearer once the Dutchman has assessed his squad.